December 2015 Convocation

The Law Society will begin a consultation with lawyers, paralegals and other stakeholders on compliance-based entity regulation beginning in the New Year. The Law Society plans to seek input on a series of issues and related questions, discussed in a paper to be released with the launch of the consultation. Feedback will be sought regarding practice management systems, entities to be regulated, reporting responsibilities, and the range of possible regulatory responses.

Compliance regulatory models are based on the regulator’s encouragement and support of improved practices. The regulator sets goals and expectations and provides support and information as needed to assist law firms and legal practices in meeting those goals. Entity regulation refers to the regulation of entities that provide legal services (firms) in addition to individual licensees. Full report.

Details of 2015-19 Strategic Plan reported

The Priority Planning Committee provided details on the strategic priorities for the Law Society for the 2015-2019 bencher term, and outlined initiatives in five key areas that would support achieving the priorities beginning in 2016. The five priority areas, which were reported at October Convocation, are to:

The Paralegal Professional Conduct Guidelineswere amended to incorporate changes made to the Paralegal Rules of Conduct at September 2015 Convocation, regarding potential conflicts of interest that may arise when paralegals move from one firm to another. Full report.

Benchers Gisèle Chrétien, Ross Earnshaw, Jacqueline Horvat and W. A. Derry Millar were re-appointed to the LibraryCo Inc. Board of Directors. The Hon. James M. Spence and bencher Sidney H. Troister were appointed to the Hearing Division of the Law Society Tribunal.Motion.

Professional Regulation Committee report

The decision item regarding the proposed summary process for the revocation of indefinitely suspended licences was deferred. Full report.